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"Rescues"Written By: Honor Disclaimer: Despite my best attempts, I have not
managed to steal the boys. I’ll let you know when I succeed.
Archived: Gundam Wing Diaries Rating: R (I think, I really don’t have a
good grasp on the rating system) Spoilers: nada Warnings: TWT, EWWT (I’m acting like the
war lasts a year and a half and Eternal Waltz doesn’t happen)
Lemon, some angst, violence, language, romance Pairings: 3x4 established, working on 5xOMC (anyone
remember Jamie?) and a 1x2 //thought// <<com or phone>> *emphasized* ~flashback~
"Rescues " Chapter Four: Five Hundred Pound Gorillas
She finally tracked him down in his room, typing away rapidly at the laptop. Duo was still zonked out on his bed, breathing heavily through his mouth. //Guess that’s why he didn’t show up for breakfast…// With a soft knock, she waited in place until Heero turned to face her. “Sorry to interrupt, I just have two quick questions.” He grunted, which Jamie took as a sign of permission to continue. “Security? I didn’t want to go out of the house until I know what you have set up.” “Come here.” Brow quirked, she obeyed that brusque command and stood beside him. Faster than she could track, he pulled up a map of the area and highlighted in bright green a perimeter around the house. “It’s set two miles out. When you came in, the system logged you in. You can’t accidentally set anything off.” “Ah. Good to know. Second question; can I contact someone? There are at least a few people that will come after me once they figure out what I did. I swear that I won’t mention where I am.” He hesitated, then nodded. “On two conditions. You do so on my computer, and you allow me to answer any questions that are sensitive.” That was more than reasonable, all things considered. “Done. Um…should we move out of this room?” She didn’t like the idea of waking up Duo. “Don’t worry about Maxwell. He can sleep through anything.” Heero snagged a chair near the desk and pulled it close before gesturing her into it. //Huh. Well, someone pounded some manners into him.// Jamie sank into it. “ASC9356.” Heero typed in the comm number. A moment later a man in his mid-forties appeared on the screen, brown eyes dark with frustration. <<I don’t know who you are—Jamie! Where in god’s green earth have you *been*?! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!>> “Sorry, Mac.” She noticed in amusement that at least two people in the background were scuttling madly to pull theirs chairs closer. Jon and Amy, if the glimpses were anything to go by. “I kinda…got caught up in something.” << ‘Kinda’?! I put you in that hospital so you could finish your degree! Not rescue a Gundam Pilot! Just once, can you do what you’re told to do?>> Jamie’s mouth twitched. Well, apparently he had figured out what she did. Of course, Mac was never slow on the uptake. “He needed help, Mac. And I had to get him out in a hurry. A special med squad was going to come in the next day to start torturing information out of him.” Mac groaned, burying his face in both of his hands. <<You never were one to sit by if you thought you could do a job. Alright. Where are you now? OZ is looking everywhere for you.>> Jamie bit her lip, glancing at Heero. “She’s with us.” Mac’s head snapped up as Heero scooted into view. <<And who the devil are you?>> “How secure is your line?” Heero parried flatly. <<…wait.>> Mac pushed a series of buttons. The screen flickered and settled. <<Alright, I’m at the highest encoding possible.>> “What system?” Mac’s eyebrow twitched. <<Angel.>> “Hn. That’ll do. You will know me as Gundam Pilot 01.” Mac’s jaw dropped. Amy fell out of her chair in the background. <<Jamie…is he joking?>> “No. Um…they decided to keep me.” It was hard, but she didn’t start laughing at the incredulous look on his face. <<They…as in, all five of them?>> “Yes.” Jon scooted closer. <<Why?>> “She is useful,” Heero answered calmly. “And I can cook, which apparently most of the guys can’t do. Mac, guys…chill. I argued with them at first, since I would be something of a liability, but they are convinced that my abilities will make up for any danger I pose to them. You don’t need to worry about me.” <<Jamie, no offense to them, but I don’t feel comfortable leaving you in the hands of five teenage terrorists.>> “Mac—” Jamie cut off as a hand landed on her shoulder. She snapped her head up, meeting Wufei’s dark eyes in astonishment. “Who is this man?” “Um…my adoptive father.” “I see.” He turned to the screen, more calm and collected than she had ever seen him. “I am Chang Wufei, Gundam Pilot 05.” <<James MacKenzie. No offense to you boys, but I don’t want Jamie in danger. And you five are wearing a rather large target.>> “Your concern is understood. We cannot, however, give her back to you. The only doctor that we can rely on is a two day trip away from us, and is constantly on the move.” <<And Jamie is the replacement? Sorry, but that still doesn’t make me worry any less.>> Wufei digested this somberly before nodding. “Very well. As a warrior to her father, I swear to you that my life will be forfeit before I allow any danger to befall her.” Jamie had to swallow the urge to turn to a sappy puddle at Wufei’s feet. That was sooo sweet! The only thing that stopped her was the knowledge that Wufei meant exactly what he said. //Note to self: DO NOT put myself into any danger when Wufei is around.// Mac was matching Wufei’s stare, eyes narrowed slightly. <<You’re traditional Chinese, aren’t you?>> “Yes.” <<Hm…I believe you. Alright, Jamie, I still wish you were home so I could tear a strip off of your hide for giving me dozen new grey hairs but…stay with them. And contact me at least once a week! I’m not going to get any decent sleep otherwise.>> She saluted, smiling. “Yes Papa-bear. Bye, Amy! Bye, Jon!” <<Take care of yourself, kid. Ascended, out.>> Jamie tilted her head back to look up at Wufei. “Were you looking for me?” “Grocery shopping,” Wufei replied succinctly. “Oh. We are rather low on things. Do we need to make a list or—” “’ood?” Duo the Zombie cracked an eye blearily to look at them. Heero snorted. “Yes, baka, they are going to go buy food. What do you want?” Duo smiled warmly, sinking back into his pillow with a sigh. “Everything.” “You can’t have everything, Duo,” Jamie told him wryly. “For one thing, where would you put it?” Duo emitted a soft snore. “Get microwavable pizzas, Tostitos, and some Coke. Those are his favorites,” Heero ordered. “Right.” “I know what Trowa and Quatre want,” Wufei told her. “Let’s go.” + Jamie was once more in the passenger side of the Jeep, with Wufei driving. For the first five minutes she stayed quiet, just because she was still processing everything. //He’s traditional Chinese…hm, that answers a few things. I’m surprised he lets me have an opinion at all, considering his background. Maybe it’s because I proved to him that I wasn’t going to back down? And when did he suddenly decide that it was his job to protect me anyway? That promise of his wasn’t thought of on the spot. He meant every word, even Mac could see that.// When her thoughts started to circle back around, she decided to stop thinking and start asking more questions. “So why does Relena Peacecraft follow you guys around?” “Because she is obsessed with Yuy.” Jamie swallowed down an urge to laugh. “She’s stalking a terrorist?” His sour expression was answer enough. “Oh boy. I take it that she hasn’t been shot yet because of her diplomatic status?” “And she’s a woman,” Wufei muttered caustically. “We don’t make a habit of shooting women. Although I’m beginning to rethink my position when it comes to that female.” “How many times has she shown up?” “I can’t tell you. We don’t always share the same safehouse, for various reasons. From what Maxwell told me, she has followed them to every school that Yuy has entered, and found three of their safehouses.” “Ouch. Maybe if he actually shoots her, she’ll get the hint.” “That’s what I told him. I don’t think he can bring himself to do it, however.” His eyes darted to her face before focusing back on the road. “And you’ll stop finding the humor in this situation when she makes you abandon most of your personal effects.” “Sorry, it’s not that, really. I’m just picturing the look on Heero’s face when he realizes that she found him again…” Jamie bit down on a laugh. Wufei snorted, but there was a hint of a smile on his face. “It is rather entertaining for the first two seconds…then you have to deal with her, and it becomes irritating rather quickly.” “Hm. Can I ask something prickly? Is Heero interested in Duo?” Wufei flashed her a confused frown. “Not that I know of.” “It just seemed odd to me that he could rattle of Duo’s favorite foods so easily. That is something that a lover would be able to do, or a friend that you’ve known for years.” She shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe I’m reading too much into it.” “No…” Wufei said slowly, brows furrowed slightly. “I think you’re right. Yuy is usually partnered with Maxwell, and it’s by his preference.” “This ought to be interesting, assuming we’re right.” “Hn.” “Can we stop by a drugstore? I need to pick up a few medical supplies, if I’m going to play doctor for you guys.” “Certainly.” + Jamie struggled into the doorway, arms full of plastic bags. “HEY GUYS! WE’RE HOME!” Duo darted into the foyer, taking bags from her. “I’m starving! What did ya get me?” “Heero told us to buy you microwavable pizzas and Tostitos.” Duo’s hands froze in mid-air, eyes shooting up to meet hers. “…he said that?” “Oh, and Coke. He said they were your favorites.” A brilliant smile took over his face. “They are. Thanks, Jam.” //Yup, I’d say the interest is two-sided if that smile is anything to go by.// She turned to give Wufei an arch look. “Interesting reaction, yes?” He nodded. “I’ll get the rest in.” “Alright. I guess I’ll check on Quatre.” She moseyed down the hallway and stuck her head into the open bedroom door. Quatre was propped up slightly, reading from a leather bound book. He looked up in welcome as she came in. “Hi.” “Hi. Back already?” “Yup.” His expression became concerned. “Are you and Wufei getting along? I know he’s very…um…stiff with most women.” “ ‘Stiff’ doesn’t cover it.” Jamie sat next to him on the bed, flipping her hair back over her shoulder. “But…yes. I don’t know why, but after having a shouting match last night he just…well, it’s almost like he threw a personality switch or something. He’s treating me like an equal, for the most part. And for some really strange reason he’s decided that it’s his job to protect me.” Quatre stuck a bookmark in between the pages and sat the book aside. “How do you know?” “I called Mac earlier, who’s kind of like an adoptive father to me. I knew he’d be worried and searching by this point. Mac was all for bringing me back into the squad so he could protect me when Wufei walked in. Wufei said, and I quote, ‘I swear to you that my life will be forfeit before I allow any danger to befall her.’” Quatre absorbed this in reflective sobriety. “He means it, Jamie.” “I know. I could see that clearly on his face when he said it. What I don’t get is *why*. He was so uncomfortable with me yesterday, like he didn’t know how to act around me and then I argued with him about sharing a room and he just…settled. I don’t get it. The guy is giving me a headache.” “He usually has no use for women,” Quatre stated carefully. “He considers them weak, and useless. The only woman I’ve ever seen him treat like an equal is Sally Po. She’s a doctor with the Resistance. And she had to *earn* that!” “So you’re saying that I’ve somehow already gained his respect? How did I manage to do that?!” “If I had to guess, I would say it was by not giving into his every whim.” “…right. Like I said, the guy is giving me a headache.” Shaking her head, she forced all thoughts of Wufei into a padded room. Then she padlocked the door. “I came in to check on you. How are you feeling?” “Bored.” “I meant physically.” “Achy. But still bored.” “Hm. I think you’re well enough to sit on the couch. That should solve the boredom. Sound good?” He nodded gratefully. “Yes, very.” “Hold on a moment, I’ll get the guys.” Bounding back out of the room she called, “Wufei! Duo! Come here!” Duo’s head appeared from the kitchen first. “What?” “Quatre’s bored back here. Can you help me move him to the couch?” “Sure. Hey, ‘Fei, come on.” Very carefully the trio moved the Arabian to the couch, propped up with various pillows. Wufei was frowning slightly as they settled him down. “Quatre, lay on your right side for a moment. There’s too much tension in your body.” Quatre blinked up at him hopefully. “Does that mean I get a massage?” “Yes.” He melted into a dreamy smile. Wufei’s mouth twitched into a responding smile as he knelt next to the couch. Jamie watched in interest as Wufei confidently rolled his thumbs up and down the blond’s back, loosening muscle with ease. “On your back.” Quatre promptly complied, sighing happily as Wufei picked up his good arm and started working the muscles along the wrist, elbow and shoulder. Shifting, he worked out the uninjured leg as well before standing. “Better?” “Much. Thank you, Wufei.” The thanks was shrugged off before the Chinese pilot retreated back into the kitchen. Jamie stared at his back. //This guy is going to constantly surprise me, I can see right now. He did that like a pro.// Shaking it off she cocked a brow at Quatre. “So where is your significant other?” “Doing repairs on Sandrock for me. Heero brought him in for me with some help from Rashid, but he’s still in bad repair, so Trowa offered to fix the damage.” “Ah. And Rashid is…?” Quatre blinked. “Oh. I forgot, you wouldn’t know who he is. Um, Rashid is the leader of the Maguanac Corp. They are very fierce and loyal fighters—” “—and a bunch of mother hens,” Duo added wryly from his position in a nearby chair. “They usually fuss over Q, but then they decided that we all needed keepers, so they keep an eye on us too. Qat, we really need to tell the guys about Jamie. If for whatever reason we can’t help her, they need to know about her.” Quatre nodded somberly. “You’re right. Can you fetch my laptop for me?” “I feel like a new pet that’s being shown off or something,” Jamie complained. “You are!” Duo called cheerfully as he disappeared into the hallway. “…love you too Duo.” Turning back to Quatre she shrugged. “I guess you want me to stick around through this call?” “Yes, please.” “Right.” Jamie settled next to him on the floor, casually tucking her knees under her chin. In a moment Duo was back, settling the laptop down in Quatre’s arms. Jamie twisted around to watch as Quatre put in the com number. A rather large man with black hair and dark skin answered. <<Master Quatre! We heard you were injured, are you alright?>> “I’m fine. Truly. Mostly bruises to account for. Thank you for helping Heero with Sandrock.” <<It was the least we could do. If we weren’t moving everyone right now, I would have come personally to deliver it and see to your welfare.>> “What you did was more than enough,” Quatre assured him with a bright smile. “And you don’t have to worry about my ‘welfare’ as you put it. The young woman that rescued me is also a doctor, and we’ve convinced her to stay with us. I want you to meet her. Jamie?” //That’s my cue, apparently.// Rising to her knees she leaned over Quatre’s shoulder so that she could be seen. “Rashid, this is Jamie Dragonmanovich. Jamie, this is a dear friend, Rashid.” “Hi.” <<Hello, Mistress Jamie. I am very relieved to know you are there.>> Jamie grinned back at him. “I’m rather glad to be here myself. I find it rather entertaining.” Someone yelled at Rashid in the background. <<A moment, Auda. Forgive me, Master Quatre, Mistress Jamie, but things are hectic here. I will call back when I have the time to talk to you properly.>> “It’s alright, Rashid. I just wanted you to meet Jamie, and to know her importance to us. I’m counting on you to take care of her in case something happens to us.” Rashid’s face went somber. <<I understand. Hazz Saheed, Master Quatre.>> “And to you, Rashid.” Jamie took the laptop from him when he disconnected and sat it on the coffee table. “Anyone up for lunch?” “Jamie, you don’t have to cook for us all of the time,” Quatre protested. “And what else am I suppose to do? I can’t exactly revolve around you twenty-four/seven,” she teased. “Cooking isn’t a trial for me, especially with Duo here. It’s fun cooking when you know that your work is appreciated.” “I’m not complainin’!” Duo announced. “Although I think someone beat you to it.” Jamie took in a deep breath. Hm. Something very aromatic was spreading through the air. “I think you’re right.” Getting up she popped her head around the kitchen’s door…Wufei was standing in front of the stove, adding in vegetables and chicken to a large skillet. //Okay, so apparently at least one of them can cook…// Coming back around she shrugged. “Wufei is doing stir-fry.” Heero came in with a laptop, taking in their positions at a glance. “Are you occupied?” Jamie exchanged glances with the other two. “No. Do you need us for something?” “Yes. Contingency plans.” Coming around the couch, he settled on the floor next to Jamie. “When we leave here, you will go with Chang in Nataku.” “Reeaaallly.” Heero gave her an uncertain glance. “This…is not acceptable?” “Heero,” she said patiently, “like any other person on this planet, I do NOT appreciate being told what to do. I like making my own decisions.” “Hn.” He thought for a moment, then shrugged. “Chang and I have discussed it. He is the only person who has an extra seat in his Gundam. You will be safer and more comfortable if you go with him.” Duo was staring at Heero with incredulity splashed all over his face. “Wuffers has a seat in his Gundam? Really? Why?” Quatre lifted a finger to his mouth. “Softly, Duo. I probably shouldn’t say anything about this, but…Wufei was *not* the only person trained to pilot Nataku.” Duo’s jaw dropped. “You’re kiddin’. So who was the other person?” “His wife, Meiran.” Jamie jerked around, eyes wide. “He’s *married*?!” she whispered incredulously. “Yes, for almost a year. Meiran died protecting the Gundam, which is why the subject is a touchy one.” “Damn,” Duo hissed. “I had no idea. How’d you find out?” “Um…I’d rather not say. But that’s why he has a seat in the Gundam.” Quatre’s eyes pointedly asked them to not press the subject any more. //That answers a few more questions about my roommate…but it raises a few more. I wonder, what kind of person was she? And how do I find out with getting my head bit off?// “Okay.” Shaking off her questions, she turned back to Heero. “Assume we don’t leave on our own time schedule. Am I still going with Wufei?” “Yes. If he is away on missions—” “Then she’s comin’ with me!” Duo finished brightly. There was a hint of steel in his eyes, however. Heero blew out a breath. “Maxwell—” “Now don’t give me any trouble ‘Ro. I got stealth capability, you know she’ll be safer with me than anyone else. Besides, it will give me someone to talk to. I’ll modify my seat to give her a place to strap in.” Heero nodded slowly. “Fine. It goes in this order: Chang, Maxwell, Winner, Barton and then me. If all of us are gone, for whatever reason, then you are to get out under your own power, wait for a day, then call us. We will come get you.” “I know Trowa’s com, and Duo’s email, but what about the rest of you?” Heero handed her a piece of paper filled with email address, com numbers and cell phone numbers. Jamie read them through carefully, memorizing them, then looked up. “Do I need to burn this?” Heero watched her with narrowed eyes. “Do you have a photogenic memory?” “Yup. It’s really handy.” “Hn.” He took the paper from her and tucked it back into his jeans. “Questions?” “Just one. If the Pink Monster shows up when one of you are injured, can I shoot her?” Duo snorted, choking on his laughter. “Sure, go ahead.” Heero glared at him, then her. “Who told you about Relena?” “Wufei. Don’t pout, Heero, it *is* something that I need to know about. So? Can I shoot her?” “We need her alive,” Quatre told her regretfully. “She is rather important in the diplomatic sphere.” “I didn’t say I’d kill her, Quatre,” Jamie assured him calmly. “I just asked if I could shoot her.” “You have my blessing,” Wufei said from the door. “Are you informed on the evacuation procedures?” “Yes.” Jamie tilted her head back to see him better over the end of the couch. “Is lunch ready?” He nodded shortly. “Stay put, Winner. I’ll bring something to you.” Quatre flashed him a thumb’s up. “Thanks.” Duo scrambled towards the kitchen, Jamie at his heels. “Let’s eat, I’m starving!” ~*~*~*~ Footnote: Hazz Saheed—Good luck
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